The Supreme Court on Tuesday, 11 June, ordered the immediate release of journalist Prashant Kanojia on bail after raising questions on the length of the remand. The apex court made it clear that it does not endorse the tweets, while adding that the duration of judicial custody was unreasonable.
Stating that “liberties under Constitution are sacrosanct, non-negotiable,” Justice Banerjee said that Kanojia should be released on bail without even hearing his lawyers.
Step Down!
Prior to the Supreme Court’s order, Twitterati had warned of “unique methods” of protest, if Kanojia was not granted bail.
Some Twitter users described the incident as “Abdunction of #PrashantKanojia” by the UP police.
Moreover, users on Twitter also demanded that the DG of Uttar Pradesh Police step down over Kanojia’s arrest.
A Twitter user also urged Kanojia and many others like him to “file class action suit against the government, seeking monetary compensation for mental agony, illegal arrest.” The user also added that the “government must learn to respect citizen’s liberties”.
Taking a dig at the government, a user remarked, “Sometimes I feel the Supreme Court is running our country; doing the job that our government is supposed to be doing”.
Lot More Needs To Be Done!
The Twitterati were also quick to point out that Kanojia is not the only journalist in this situation. A user asked for renewed focus on others who are in a similar situation as Prashant Kanojia.
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